On Sept. 7, the Washington Supreme Court will once again hold a hearing for state officials to explain why they haven’t complied with the court’s demand for a plan to fully fund public schools.

In Washington state, public education is a civil right guaranteed by the state Constitution. A quality public education gives all children the opportunity to be successful. Yet every day the state fails to fully fund basic education, we are violating our children’s civil rights.

We do not know what action the court will take after the hearing, including whether the court will impose tougher sanctions beyond the $100,000 a day the state is being fined (which now totals nearly $39 million).

We do know that instead of fully funding basic education, the 2016 Legislature punted – they created yet another committee to study school funding (the fifth or sixth such group, by some accounts).

Earlier this summer, the committee held hearings and solicited recommendations from stakeholders. WEA submitted our recommendations for funding the basic education our children deserve, regardless of their ZIP Code or family background.

It really is pretty basic:

Fund smaller class sizes in every grade level and additional support staff as required by I-1351, which is now the law.

Fully fund competitive, professional base pay and benefits for all K-12 school employees, and maintain flexibility for school districts to supplement educators’ pay beyond the base state salary.

Fund 10 days of professional development.

Fund the full cost of supplies, curriculum, operating costs and transportation, and make sure all schools are equipped with modern technology.

About SVEA

The Snoqualmie Valley Education Association represents the 430+ certificated staff of the Snoqualmie Valley School District. We believe empowered educators, stronger together, are the foundation of great schools.